RedArc Tow Pro Brake Controller (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tex68w
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I can't thank you enough for this placement recommendation (and similar posts elsewhere on this placement here on mud)!
I was fretting about which switch blank I should use in my 2013 Land Cruiser J200 for my Tow Pro Elite. Well, frustrated more than fretting, because I can't see or reach any of the blanks easily behind the steering wheel: Line of sight and "quick draw" in a dicey trailer sway situation were two priorities, neither of which were going to be well addressed by the switch blanks. And regardless of which blank I picked, I was sure I'd be hitting the control with my knee from time to time. I'm also a "drilling in a highly visible spot is an absolute last resort" kind of owner: A mounting location outside of the blanks would be a tough sell, though I was getting closer and closer to putting a cig lighter sized hole in my dash somewhere. At least, until I found this post!
This controller placement was perfect on my rig: I can see the controller and setting clear as day, reach it easily (and without looking down by just running my hand up the parking brake until it connects), it is very much out of the way from accidental bumps, and no drilling required (except for a small cig lighter adapter piece that could easily be replaced). AND, the controller can be seen/reached by the passenger if necessary.
* chief's kiss *
I actually have two cig outlets stacked on top of each other at this location, so getting rid of one was a no-brainer. I can't honestly think of a better spot. It took me a couple hours, but I was careful and thorough with the install (still newish to ripping body panels off and freakish about taping down wires to reduce rattling/snagging). I mounted the module horizontally at the top of the driver's kick panel using screws (size #8) on just the bottom set of holes. It's really solid and up out of the way from accidental foot strikes. Also, easily accessible if you need to diagnose anything. I'm going to start my own thread for my general towing experience soon, likely to include more details on the install (including more details on the white cig lighter sleeve mods).
And, I can confirm cross-over on a couple things for the 2013 LCJ200:
- The same wiring harness (TPH-021) worked for my factory brake controller plug (in a blank behind the left-hand switch panel, in US spec)
- I too grounded my harness just because I didn't want to f*** around and find out with trailer brakes; I didn't see any harm in double-grounding
- The switch blank that came with the Tow Pro Elite fit the cig outlet (with the white sleeve for the cig lighter adapted for the blank notch, as previously noted); I did not end up using the TPSI-002 switch blank
- The controller calibration took about 10-15 min of driving
FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
I just performed the testing procedure that REDARC supplies to test the controller and it tested out as per the write-up.
REF:
Tow-Pro Elite Testing Procedure - https://www.redarcelectronics.com/au/resources/brake-controllers-faqs/how-to-test-tow-pro/
In case anyone wants to try this I used a Sylvania 1156 bulb and socket I had lying around for years.
The bulb is 12.8V/26.9W.
REF:
SYLVANIA 1156 Long Life Mini Bulb, 2 Pack - https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/sylvania-1156-long-life-mini-bulb-2-pack/1156LL.BP2.html
It shows the unit working in manual mode which obviously isn't a real dynamic test but I guess is better than no test at all.
REF:
Tow-Pro Elite Testing Procedure - https://www.redarcelectronics.com/au/resources/brake-controllers-faqs/how-to-test-tow-pro/
In case anyone wants to try this I used a Sylvania 1156 bulb and socket I had lying around for years.
The bulb is 12.8V/26.9W.
REF:
SYLVANIA 1156 Long Life Mini Bulb, 2 Pack - https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/sylvania-1156-long-life-mini-bulb-2-pack/1156LL.BP2.html
It shows the unit working in manual mode which obviously isn't a real dynamic test but I guess is better than no test at all.
I got one for sale that I used on my 2018 LX570 if anyone is interested.
For Sale SoCal: 200 Series - REDARC Tow-Pro Elite Electric Trailer Brake Controller #EBRH-ACCv3-NA
For Sale SoCal: 200 Series - REDARC Tow-Pro Elite Electric Trailer Brake Controller #EBRH-ACCv3-NA
Bring this back up, planning to rent an RV trailer this summer at least a couple of times, and they require a controller. They can "rent" me a Bluetooth controller ($25 for each trip) that plugs into the trailer connector and you control it through a phone app, but I'm not crazy about that. I think I'd rather just do it right.
So my only question is, I know I had the original factory pigtail connector when I bought the truck 7 years ago, but I can't find it now. Should I bother to get one from Toyota, or is there a Redarc kit that plugs directly into the connector behind the dash? I'm not sure what the E-trailer site means when it asks about the "Factory Tow Package".
So my only question is, I know I had the original factory pigtail connector when I bought the truck 7 years ago, but I can't find it now. Should I bother to get one from Toyota, or is there a Redarc kit that plugs directly into the connector behind the dash? I'm not sure what the E-trailer site means when it asks about the "Factory Tow Package".
The Redarc TPH-021 harness was plug-n-play in my 2018 LX570 as well as my 2011 GX460. The only thing you have to do is find a stud or bolt to install the ground terminal, otherwise it just plugs right into the oem connector.
They also have the TPSI-002 switch insert that allows you to install the brake controller knob in one of the blank OEM switch locations on the dash.
Its a very oem like solution TBH. It works pretty well, almost as good, but not quite as good as the integrated as the factory trailer brake controller that came with my F150.
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FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
Thanks, I've been getting conflicting info, so this is helpful. On hold now with e-trailer.
How special is that little plate? Not trying to be cheap, but can't I just drill a hole in one of the blanks? All of my slots in the panel to the left of the steering wheel are full, so I'm gonna have to put the knob in the other panel to the right of the wheel.
How special is that little plate? Not trying to be cheap, but can't I just drill a hole in one of the blanks? All of my slots in the panel to the left of the steering wheel are full, so I'm gonna have to put the knob in the other panel to the right of the wheel.
FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
So e-trailer was pretty much worthless. Their website says the TPH-021 only goes up to 2012, and they assured me that it WON'T FIT my 2015. Despite me telling me that others have installed it in later trucks.
And they had no idea what "Factory Tow Package" means, they said I needed to call me local dealer to check if my truck had it. Wouldn't listen when I told them that all Cruisers are equipped the same. Just drones on the phone reading their website to me.
And they had no idea what "Factory Tow Package" means, they said I needed to call me local dealer to check if my truck had it. Wouldn't listen when I told them that all Cruisers are equipped the same. Just drones on the phone reading their website to me.
FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
Yes, e-trailer is useless but they are just following what redarc officially lists. The GX460 is not even on their fitment list at all for the TPH-021 but I took a gamble and it fit no problem and functions correctly. 2018 LX is not either but it works. I would imagine they didnt change the plug just for 2013-2017
terrapin
SILVER Star
On my LX all of the button slots were full, so I picked one that I didn't use (de-activating power liftgate) and tucked it behind the panel, but still relatively accessible if I ever needed it. In the case of the photo above, I would choose the headlight washer. I live in the SW and have never used that feature on any vehicle I have owned. Just my 2 cents.
It would seem like a step drill would make a nice clean hole. I may give it a try when I do my install.
Just bringing this back up, finished installing this morning. I had a great conversation with Redarc (they called me on their dime from AUS) and they assured me that the TPH-021 would work in my 2015. The better news is that they sell a complete kit that includes the Elite Pro controller, the TPH-021 harness AND the TPSI-002 dash insert as one kit, it is part #CIKTP-NA-002, same price as just buying just the controller, $250. I bought mine directly from Redarc, had it in about 4 days.
www.redarcelectronics.com
I had no empty slots in the left panel, so I opted to put it in the panel to the right of the steering wheel. I can easily see it while seated. Plenty of wire, in fact the hardest part was fighting with the wires to get them fully tucked and safely ziptied under the dash, wow it's crowded under there!
LandCruiser / Sequoia / 4Runner / Early Model Tundra & Tacoma Brake Controller Kit
The REDARC LandCruiser / Sequoia / 4Runner / early model Tundra & Tacoma Tow-Pro Wiring Kit supports the installation of either the Tow-Pro Elite or Liberty electric brake controller, providing ‘plug and play’ connectivity into a range of Toyota LandCruiser, Sequoia, 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra...
www.redarcelectronics.com
I had no empty slots in the left panel, so I opted to put it in the panel to the right of the steering wheel. I can easily see it while seated. Plenty of wire, in fact the hardest part was fighting with the wires to get them fully tucked and safely ziptied under the dash, wow it's crowded under there!
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I'll mention here that you need to have the test light connected to the trailer plug at the back BEFORE you can begin the test, or even put the unit in User mode. It will ignore you and stay in "Sleep" mode until you connect the test light. I made up a quick light with ~4' long leads and set the bulb on top of the tailgate so I could do the test by myself. I used a 12W bulb that I had in my spares bin, worked perfectly.
You want to connect to the bottom 2 pins on the 7-pin connector at the back of the truck (there's a diagram on the spring cover).
This doesn’t surprise me.
I can honestly say that their customer support is possibly the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to interact with. Multiple times I’ve contacted them, either for help with the RedVision install on my camper or helping me chase down an issue that ended up being completely unrelated to their products. One time, after multiple points of contact and a very long email thread with one of their reps, I decided to give him a break and go to the Redarc FB group to crowdsource help. That Redarc rep answered me there and told me to just email him directly… I was flabbergasted.
The only issue is the time difference from the states and Australia but other than that I’m diehard Redarc fanboy.
